Avakian jumps into secretary of state race

Sen. Brad Avakian, D-Bethany, announced Tuesday that he will jump into what's bound to be a crowded, competitive race for Oregon secretary of state.

The freshman senator, who represents a chunk of Washington County plus Northwest Portland, joins Sens. Kate Brown, D-Portland, and Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, who have already announced they too will seek the Democratic nomination. Avakian and Walker do not have to give up their Senate seats to run; Brown will not seek re-election.

"They are my friends and colleagues, but there are priorities I have that I think are important to Oregon too," he said, singling out state audits and voter registration as key issues.

Current Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, a Democrat, is serving his second four-year term and is prohibited from another run. The office oversees the audits, corporations and elections divisions.

Others are still considering the statewide race next year. Sen. Rick Metsger, D-Welches, said he's "seriously looking at it, very seriously, but I'm not anywhere near making a decision on it."